Gertrude Jeannette Beatty

Nov. 27, 2012

Gertrude Jeannette Beatty of Fort Collins passed away on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012 in the loving care of Pathways Hospice. "Gert" was born Oct. 12, 1909 in Storm Lake, Iowa and recently celebrated her 103rd birthday. She was the ninth of ten children born to William John Beatty and Mina Anna (Sargeant) Beatty.

Gert grew up in Storm Lake, Iowa where she attended elementary and secondary school. She also attended Buena Vista College, and then received her B.A. Degree in 1931 from the University of Iowa. The next 40 years of her life were spent teaching fourth, fifth, and sixth grades; 12 years in Storm Lake, two years in Oak Park, Illinois, and 26 years in Waterloo, Iowa.

Throughout her teaching career, Gert would travel to Colorado during the summer months to attend certification classes at Colorado State College in Greeley and the University of Colorado in Boulder. She traveled extensively with her lifelong friend, Marie Stoner. Both women were educators who influenced the lives of many children and young adults.

Gert and Marie, or "Mert and Gert" as they were affectionately known, loved to fish and hike. In 1959 they purchased a small cabin in the Poudre Canyon, and after their retirement, they would spend summers in the Poudre Canyon and winters in Long Beach, Calif.

Not only did Gert love fishing and hiking, she was an avid sports fan, a great bridge player and enthusiastic reader. She had a zest for life and a passion for what she loved to do, all reflected in her smile and the twinkle in her blue eyes.

Gert was a member of Alpha Delta Pi, The American Association of University Women, the Business and Professional Women's Club, the Poudre Canyon Chapel and the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Collins. She participated in the Sarah Circle at the First Presbyterian Church and in later years the Community Bible Study. She loved her book club, bridge club and supper club, enjoying friendships that spanned many decades.

Gert was preceded in death by her parents, all nine of her siblings, and her friend, Marie. She is survived by her niece, Pat Waddell of Walnut Creek, Calif.; her nephew, Robert Beatty of Sequim, Wash.; several great nieces and nephews; and one great-great niece.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012 at 3 p.m. at the Allnutt Drake Chapel, 650 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO. There will be a service held at a later date at the Poudre Canyon Chapel.